By: Sean Crose
Can Tyson Fury win his rematch with newly crowned heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk? Why yes, yes he can. While there is no doubt that Usyk hit Fury when they fought last Saturday in Saudi Arabia, there is also no doubt that Usyk hit himself. Take a look at the recent photo Usyk posted on social media. He certainly didn’t look like a winner in a fight – even though he clearly did. This image says a lot about the warrior Usyk – but it also says a lot about the warrior Fury.
It’s easy to forget that Fury controlled Saturday’s match well enough to progress to the last 16. It wasn’t until Usyk got Fury deep into that chapter that things turned around for the Ukrainian. Indeed, Fury even confused Usyk several times in the first half of the fight. All of that brings us to a point that former world player Chris Algieri made Professional TV Box after last weekend’s fight – that if Usky hadn’t injured Fury during the fight, things could have ended a lot differently.
Knowing that there is a rematch clause and knowing that Fury will most likely trigger it, who’s to say Usyk will be able to hurt Fury a second time? And what if the man cannot hurt him? While there are those who feel the winner of the first fight might have an easier time in the second round, Muhammad Ali has proven time and again that this is not always the case. The question is not whether Fury can win a rematch with Usyk, but whether he can? If the rematch comes to fruition, it will be a challenging call for anyone.
The advantage would clearly go to Usyk, since – well – he’s already beaten Fury. Like it or not, those things are important, both psychologically and in preparation for the rematch. With that said, Fury made his first appearance (for Fury). Maybe he’ll bulk up Usyk next time and try to take him down, as he effectively took out Deontay Wilder. Or perhaps Fury will pay more attention in a rematch and practice staying away from Usyk while delivering his stinging jab. Or perhaps Fury will adopt a completely new strategy.
One thing is certain – Usyk will enter the ring thoroughly prepared for the fight of his life, just like he did the first time – something Fury will certainly be aware of.
